Sternum fixation device and method

Abstract

An apparatus and technique for internally securing a plurality of bone segments together. The device incorporates a plate-like structure stabilizing the fracture and integrated fasteners to attach fasteners circumscribing the bone segments.

I claim: 
     
       1. A bone plate assembly, comprising:
 a plate having a plurality of apertures formed through the full thickness of the plate, with at least two of the plurality of apertures being positioned proximal to lateral edges on opposing sides of the plate; 
 one or more fasteners each having a leading end, the leading end having a profile, and a second end opposite the leading end, each fastener being configured for the leading end to pass substantially around a portion of bone and through at least one of the apertures for locking engagement to establish compression with adjustable tension between the plate and the bone; 
 a plurality of fastener attachments, each being incorporated with one of the apertures, with at least one of the fastener attachments being configured to allow the leading end of one of the fasteners to pass through one of the apertures in a first direction, and to resist fastener movement in a second direction opposite the first direction; 
 each fastener attachment further comprising a base slot that accommodates entry of the fastener leading end into the fastener attachment to accept and secure the fastener attachment around the profile of the fastener leading end, and an exit slot through which the fastener leading end exits the fastener attachment; 
 wherein the plate is contoured to lie against and be compressed against a surface of a bone; 
 wherein the second end of each of the one or more fasteners is secured to the plate by a retention button positioned within a cavity in a surface of the plate proximal to at least one of the apertures, wherein the retention button and the second end of each of the one or more fasteners is configured to rotate within the plate cavity, thereby permitting adjustment of the fastener position; and 
 wherein the retention button comprises grooves configured to mate with plate tabs situated within the cavity thereby permitting rotation of the retention button but restricting egress of the retention button from the cavity. 
 
     
     
       2. The bone plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the profile is characterized by a geometry selected from the group consisting of notched, ribbed, and rectangular. 
     
     
       3. A bone plate assembly, comprising:
 a plate having a plurality of apertures formed through the full thickness of the plate, with at least two of the plurality of apertures being positioned proximal to lateral edges on opposing sides of the plate; 
 one or more fasteners each having a leading end, the leading end having a profile, and a second end opposite the leading end, each fastener being configured for the leading end to pass substantially around a portion of bone and through at least one of the apertures for locking engagement to establish compression with adjustable tension between the plate and the bone; 
 a plurality of fastener attachments, each being incorporated with one of the apertures, with at least one of the fastener attachments being configured to allow the leading end of one of the fasteners to pass through one of the apertures in a first direction, and to resist fastener movement in a second direction opposite the first direction; and 
 each fastener attachment further comprising a base slot that accommodates entry of the fastener leading end into the fastener attachment to accept and secure the fastener attachment around the profile of the fastener leading end, and an exit slot through which the fastener leading end exits the fastener attachment; 
 wherein the plate is contoured to lie against and be compressed against a surface of a bone; 
 wherein the assembly is arranged for splinting engagement with a sternum by the leading end of each of the one or more fasteners being configured to pass through intercostal spaces of human ribs thereby traveling around the posterior aspect of the sternum, each of the one or more fasteners thus being positioned for connection to the plate near the lateral edges on opposing sides of the plate; 
 wherein the second end of each of the one or more fasteners is secured to the plate by a retention button positioned within a cavity in a surface of the plate proximal to one of the apertures, wherein the retention button and the second end of each of the one or more fasteners are configured to rotate within the plate cavity, thereby permitting adjustment of fastener position relative to intercostal rib spacing; and 
 wherein the retention button comprises grooves configured to mate with plate tabs situated within the cavity thereby permitting rotation of the retention button but restricting egress of the retention button from the cavity. 
 
     
     
       4. The bone plate assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the profile is characterized by a geometry selected from the group consisting of notched, ribbed, and rectangular.